Receiving container, method for filling a receiving container, method for transporting receiving containers and use of a receiving container

ABSTRACT

A receiving container comprising a body and a lid. The body has an open end and a closed end. The lid is introduceable at least partially into the open end of the body in order to seal the body. The lid comprises at least one plastic component which is designed such that the lid can be perforated by a canula and is fluid-tight after the canula has been removed. The receiving container is designed such that the lid can assume at least first and second closing positions. In the first closing position, a chamber of the body can be filled, via a cannula, through the lid and gas can escape from the chamber via at least one ventilation path. In the second closing position, the at least one ventilation path is closed.

The present invention relates to a receiving container, a method for filling a receiving container, a method for transporting receiving containers, and the use of receiving containers according to the independent claims.

Receiving containers (for example, in the form of vials) are used, inter alia, for the storage and analysis of chemical and biological samples.

When such receiving containers are being filled, the pressure in the chamber increases owing to the gas which is present being displaced by the specimen, or the filling is prevented by a counter-pressure present in the receiving container. It must be ensured that filling is possible and that the elevated pressure does not cause a leak and the contents inadvertently escape, and that the filling is not prevented by the elevated pressure which is generated.

EP 0 517 121 proposes a vial which has two open ends. A closing cap is introduced into one end. The closing cap has a ventilation duct. The vial is filled via the opposite open side. During the filling, the gas which is present escapes via the ventilation duct of the closing cap. After the filling, the closing cap is pressed further into the vial such that the ventilation duct is completely inside the vial and an O-ring closes the fluid connection with respect to the environment.

Because one side of the vial remains open, the vial is not sealed with respect to the environment after filling. Contamination of the sample after filling can therefore not be prevented. In addition, it cannot be ensured that the vial is not contaminated via the open end before filling.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide receiving containers which can easily be filled, allow for reliable filling, and easily prevent contamination of the sample. This object is achieved with a receiving container of the independent claim.

The receiving container, preferably a vial, comprises a body and a lid. The body has an open end and a closed end. The lid is introduceable at least partially into the open end of the body in order to close the body. The lid comprises at least one plastic component which is adapted such that it can be perforated by a cannula and is fluid-tight (i.e. is sealed with respect to the passage of gas and liquid) after the cannula has been removed. The receiving container is adapted such that the lid can assume at least a first and a second closing position. In the first closing position, a chamber of the body can be filled with a cannula through the lid. Gas can escape from the chamber via at least one ventilation path in the first closing position. In the second closing position, the at least one ventilation path is closed.

A receiving container according to the invention can be filled with the aid of a cannula which can be pierced directly through the lid. The gas present in the chamber (for example, air or a protective gas) can escape via the ventilation path. As a result, it is ensured that there is no too high overpressure in the vial which could cause a leak or impedes further filling owing to the pressure. Because in the first closing position, the lid is also at least partially introduced into the receiving container, contamination of the chamber is at least minimized before filling. After filling, the lid is brought into the second closing position, in which the ventilation path is closed. In the second closing position, the chamber with the specimen is hermetically separated from the environment.

The lid is preferably introduced further into the body in the second closing position than in the first closing position. As a result, the lid can be easily moved from the first closing position into the second closing position. The lid can thus be inserted further into the receiving container by exerting pressure manually or automatically in order to assume the second closing position, in which the ventilation path is closed.

Alternatively, the second closing position can be achieved, for example, by rotating the lid with respect to the receiving container.

The lid preferably has grooves with at least partially circumferential sealing surfaces. The at least one ventilation path preferably comprises a recess in a sealing surface of a first groove. By contrast, a sealing surface of at least a second groove is arranged circumferentially. The receiving container preferably has at least one mating ridge which can be operatively connected to the sealing surfaces of the grooves. In the first closing position, the mating ridge is operatively connected to the sealing surface of the first groove. The air can escape from the chamber via the recess during filling. The lid is then inserted further into the chamber such that the mating ridge is operatively connected to the circumferential sealing surface of the second groove. Because this sealing surface is arranged circumferentially (i.e. does not have a recess), no air can escape from the chamber. The ventilation path is thus closed.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the lid comprises a ridge and the receiving container comprises at least two mating grooves with at least partially circumferential sealing surfaces, wherein a sealing surface of a first mating groove comprises a recess, and a sealing surface of the second mating groove is arranged circumferentially. The ridge in the lid can here be operatively connected to the two sealing surfaces. In the first position, gas can in turn escape from the chamber via the recess.

It is also conceivable that the recess is present in a ridge (in the lid or in the receiving container) instead of the sealing surface of the groove.

As a further alternative, it would also be conceivable that the ventilation path comprises a bore in a side wall of the receiving container which can be closed from the inside by rotating the lid. It would also be conceivable that the ventilation path comprises a small tube in a two-part or multi-part lid. A part of the lid could be rotated with respect to the at least one further part such that the small tube is configured to no longer be uninterrupted and a ventilation path is thus closed.

The chamber preferably comprises between 0.5 and 2 ml, particularly preferably 1 ml. receiving containers with such chambers have proven to be suitable for different samples.

Receiving containers according to the invention can also be designed with chambers with higher or lower volumes.

The body is preferably 30-60 mm, particularly preferably 40-55 mm, and more particularly preferably 50 mm long.

The lid preferably has a region which is not introduceable into the body. One end of the lid can thus, for example, have a greater radius than the part of the lid which is introduceable into the receiving container. The radius of this end is preferably of the same size as an outer radius of the receiving container at the open end such that an outer side of the lid is flush with the outer side of the receiving container in the introduced state. As a result, the lid can be removed more easily from the receiving container via the region not introduced when force can be applied to the lid via an outer side which is not introduced.

It is alternatively also possible that the lid is entirely introduceable into the receiving container.

The lid preferably has at least one at least partially circumferential retaining groove on an outer side of the region which is not introduceable into the body. The circumferential or partial retaining groove additionally facilitates manual or mechanical removal of the lid. By virtue of the retaining groove, an outer side of the lid has, in the region which is not introduceable, a structure which facilitates removal. Moreover, for example in the case of automatic removal, a mating piece for the retaining groove can be introduced into the retaining groove in order to improve the transfer of force to the lid.

The lid preferably comprises two plastic components or consists of two plastic components. The two components have a different Shore hardnesses. The component with the lower Shore hardness is arranged in a region of the lid radially inside the component with the higher Shore hardness. In addition, the component with the higher Shore hardness is arranged with no circumferential interruption at least in a region of the lid which is introduceable into the body.

The component with the lower Shore hardness allows penetration by the cannula and subsequent sealing with respect to the environment, as described above. The component with the higher Shore hardness affords the lid additional stability by virtue of the uninterrupted design at least in the region which is inserted into the body. The sealing of the lid can in turn be increased by the increased stability. Owing to the increased stability, the sealing of the lid can in turn be increased. For example, the contact pressure between the body and the lid remains substantially the same even after long storage owing to the component with the higher Shore hardness.

If the component with the higher Shore hardness represents the radially outermost layer, it ensures contact between the inner surface of the body and the outer surface of the lid, which contact seals the contents of the receiving container from the outside.

Alternatively, an additional component can be present radially on the very outside, at least in the region which is introduced into the body. This layer is preferably formed from a plastic with a lower Shore hardness than the circumferentially formed component with a higher Shore hardness. An increased sealing effect between the lid and the receiving container can in turn be achieved with the aid of the component with a lower Shore hardness.

The component with a lower Shore hardness is preferably surrounded circumferentially by the component with a higher Shore hardness at least partially in the region of the lid which is introduceable into the body.

By virtue of such an arrangement, the lid has a stable configuration in the region which is introduceable into the body.

The component of the lid with a lower Shore hardness can be surrounded circumferentially by the component with a higher Shore hardness over the whole length in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the receiving container, or alternatively extend radially outward at least at a point of the lid which is not introduced into the body.

The component with a lower Shore hardness can also be present only over a certain length in the region which is introduced into the body. In one region, for example, only the component with a higher Shore hardness, which thus forms a chamber, is present.

It is also possible that the component with a lower Shore hardness extends radially outward, for example, at the end facing toward the closed end. The component with a lower Shore hardness can thus be surrounded by the component with a higher Shore hardness only over a certain length in the region which can be arranged inside the lid.

Preferably, the component with a higher Shore hardness is a polypropylene and the component with a lower Shore hardness an elastomer. Possible components with a lower Shore hardness are, for example, thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, or silicone. The thermoplastic elastomer preferably has a Shore hardness within the 35-48 Shore A range, measured in accordance with ISO 7619.

An elastomer is well suited for the required conditions. The elastomer allows penetration by the cannula. The elastomer furthermore reseals the perforation point after removal of the cannula.

Other plastics which meet the penetration and sealing requirements are conceivable.

The body preferably has at least one conically tapering portion on the outer side. This conical portion comprises the closed end.

Such a geometry in turn ensures that no engagement between two receiving containers takes place. In addition, the receiving container can be transferred automatically into a correct position when the position is detected with the aid of the geometry. The receiving container can thus be brought into an upright position, for example for removal of a specimen by the cannula.

Alternatively, the receiving container can also have a different geometry. For example, there can be no conical portion on the outer side.

The body is preferably designed such that it has a conicity in a lower quarter of 10-15° and a conicity in an upper part of 1-5°.

It is also possible that only the lower quarter or only the upper part is configured conically.

The body preferably has a flange on an outer surface at the open end.

A flange makes it possible to easily grip the receiving container using a fork-shaped carrier element. The carrier element should be designed such that the distance between the prongs is greater than the diameter of the receiving container below the flange but less than the diameter of the receiving container at the flange. The receiving container can thus be introduced into the prongs and lifted up.

In addition, the flange ensures that, when a lid with a greater diameter than the vial is used, no additional edge is formed by the lid. For this purpose, the flange is preferably configured conically, wherein the largest diameter is arranged at the open end. This largest outer diameter of the flange should correspond to the outer diameter of the lid so that there is no additional edge.

In a preferred embodiment, the body comprises two plastic components or consists thereof. At least one component is designed to be light-blocking or opaque and arranged at the closed end of the body. This at least one light-blocking or opaque component has a code, preferably a 2D barcode, particularly preferably a data matrix code, for identification. It is alternatively also conceivable that the code is applied to a non-opaque or transparent component.

The receiving container and consequently the sample can be clearly marked and identified with the aid of the code. As a result, the receiving container can be handled easily in a fully automated fashion and the sample can be correctly assigned. In addition, such a code makes it possible to anonymize the receiving container and the sample.

A code other than a 2D code can also alternatively be used, such as a color code, for example.

The light-blocking or opaque component preferably contains polypropylene or consists thereof.

Polypropylene allows simple production of a light-blocking or opaque component. In addition, it allows production in a 2K injection-molding process, together with the remainder of the body.

The solid-color or opaque component can alternatively also be produced from a different suitable material.

The lid and/or the body of the receiving container is preferably produced using an injection-molding process, preferably a 2K injection-molding process.

An injection-molding process allows production of the parts of the receiving container with a uniform, high quality. Using the 2K injection-molding process, it is possible to manufacture the parts with two plastic components in a single production process.

The invention also relates to a method for filling a receiving container, preferably a receiving container as described above. The method comprises the steps of:

-   -   providing a receiving container having a body and a lid, wherein         the lid is introduced into the body in a first closing position,     -   perforating the lid with a cannula,     -   filling the receiving container through the cannula, wherein gas         escapes from a chamber via at least one ventilation path,     -   arranging the lid in a second closing position such that the at         least one ventilation path is closed.

The lid is preferably introduced further into the body in order to arrange the lid in the second closing position.

The invention additionally relates to a process for transporting receiving containers in a tube system operated with an airstream. One of the above-described receiving containers is used in the method.

The invention furthermore relates to the use of one of the above-described receiving containers in a tube system operated with an airstream.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the following description of the exemplary embodiments in combination with the schematic drawings, showing schematically:

FIG. 1: a lid of a vial according to the invention;

FIG. 2: an external view of a vial according to the invention in the closed state;

FIG. 3: an external view of a vial according to the invention in the open state;

FIG. 4a-c : a longitudinal section through a vial according to the invention in different closing positions;

FIG. 5a, b : a longitudinal section through a vial according to the invention in different closing positions.

FIG. 1 shows a lid 3 of a vial 1 according to the invention (see FIG. 2 or 3). The lid 3 is partially introduceable into an open end of a body 2 (see FIG. 2 or 3) and is formed from two components 3′, 3″ which have a different Shore hardnesses. The lid 3 is produced using a 2K injection-molding process. The component 3′ with a higher Shore hardness is a polypropylene.

The component 3″ with a lower Shore hardness is a thermoplastic elastomer with a Shore hardness of 40 Shore A, measured in accordance with ISO 7619. The component 3″ with a lower Shore hardness is completely surrounded, circumferentially by the component 3′ with a higher Shore hardness in a region of the lid 3 which is introduceable into the body 2. By contrast, the component 3″ with a lower Shore hardness extends radially outward in an upper end of the lid 3. The component 3″ with a lower Shore hardness extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vial 1 only over a section of the component 3′ with the higher Shore hardness. An end of the lid 3 which faces toward the closed end is formed only by the component 3′ with the higher Shore hardness, which forms an additional chamber which is open on one side.

The component 3″ with a lower Shore hardness allows the lid to be penetrated by a cannula for filling and/or removing samples. After the cannula has been removed from the lid 3, the component 3″ with a lower Shore hardness automatically closes the passage opening.

The lid 3 has a lower region 5 which is introduceable into the body 2. In addition, the lid 3 has an upper region 4 which has a larger radius than the lower region 5 and is not introduceable into the body 2. The lower region has two grooves 6. A sealing surface of a lower groove 6′ is designed to be partially circumferential. A recess 7 interrupts the sealing surface of the lower groove 6′. A sealing surface of an upper groove 6″ is formed to be completely circumferentially.

In a first closing position, the lid 3 is inserted into the body 2 such that the sealing surface of the lower groove 6′ is operatively connected to a mating ridge 12 (see FIG. 5) of the body 2. Due to the recess 7, a ventilation path exists between a chamber of the vial 1 and the environment. As a result, gas can escape from the chamber when the vial 1 is being filled. This prevents that a too high overpressure is created in the chamber which could cause a leak or prevent further filling.

In a second closing position, the lid 3 is inserted further into the body 2 such that the sealing surface of the upper groove 6″ is operatively connected to the mating ridge 12. Because the sealing surface of the upper groove is formed circumferentially, no ventilation path exists between the chamber and the environment.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of a vial 1 according to the invention with a body 2 in the closed state. The lid 3 is situated in the second closing position.

The body 2 is formed by two plastic components 2′, 2″. Both components 2′, 2″ are polypropylene, wherein one component 2″ is designed to be opaque. The body 2 is formed using a 2K injection-molding process. The opaque component 2″ is arranged at a closed end of the body 2. The opaque component has a data matrix code (not shown) on its surface facing away from the body 2. The code serves to identify the vial. As a result, the vial can be automatically assigned and processed.

At the open end, the body 2 has a flange 10 (see FIG. 3) which is formed by the non-opaque polypropylene component 2′. The flange 10 is adapted to be flush with an external diameter of the upper region 4 of the lid and consequently ensures that two vials 1 do not engage each other by way of their lids 3. Owing to this design, practically no additional edges are created by the lid 3 or the body 2.

At the closed end, the outer wall extends conically in the opaque region 2″. The region has a conicity of 10°. The upper section has a low conicity of 2°.

FIG. 3 shows an external view of a vial 1 according to the invention with a body 2 in the open state. A region close to the open end of the body 2 has a mating ridge 12 (see FIG. 5) which can be operatively connected to the grooves 6′, 6″.

FIGS. 4a-c show a vial 1 according to the invention in different closing positions. In FIG. 4a , the lid 3 is not introduced into the body 2. The vial 1 is in an open position.

In FIG. 4b , the lid 3 is in the first closing position. The lid 3 is here partially introduced into the body 2. The vial 1 can be filled through a cannula 11. Gas which was in the vial can escape via the ventilation duct (indicated with dashed arrows). As a result, a too high overpressure inside the vial 1 is prevented.

In FIG. 4c , the lid 3 is in the second closing position. The lid is introduced further into the body 2 and the ventilation duct consequently sealed.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a longitudinal section through a vial 1 according to the invention in a first and second closing position.

In FIG. 5a , the lid 3 is in the first closing position. The lower groove 6′ of the lid 3 is operatively connected to the mating ridge 12 of the body 2. Gas can leak through the recess 7 (see FIG. 1) during the filling.

FIG. 5b shows the lid 3 in the second closing position. In this position, the upper groove 6″, which has a sealing surface formed circumferentially, is operatively connected to the mating ridge 12 and seals the chamber of the vial 1 from the environment. 

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A receiving container comprising: a body, and a lid, wherein the body has an open end and a closed end and the lid is introduceable at least partially into the open end of the body in order to close the body, the lid comprises at least one plastic component which is adapted such that the lid can be perforated by a cannula and is fluid-tight after the cannula has been removed, the receiving container is adapted such that the lid can assume at least a first closing position and a second closing position, in the first closing position, a chamber of the body can be filled with a cannula through the lid, and gas can escape from the chamber via at least one ventilation path, and in the second closing position, the at least one ventilation path is closed.
 18. The receiving container according to claim 17, wherein the receiving container is a vial.
 19. The receiving container according to claim 17, wherein, in the second closing position, the lid is introduced further into the body than in the first closing position.
 20. The receiving container according to claim 17, wherein the lid comprises grooves, the grooves comprise at least partially circumferential sealing surfaces, and the at least one ventilation path comprises a recess in a sealing surface of a first groove and a sealing surface of at least a second groove is arranged circumferentially.
 21. The receiving container according to claim 17, wherein the chamber comprises a volume of between 0.5 ml and 2 ml.
 22. The receiving container according to claim 17, wherein the body is 30-60 mm long.
 23. The receiving container according to claim 17, wherein the lid has a region which is not introduceable into the body.
 24. The receiving container according to claim 23, wherein the lid has at least one at least partially circumferential retaining groove on an outer side of the region which is not introduceable into the body.
 25. The receiving container according to claim 17, wherein the lid comprises or consists of two plastic components, and the two components have a different Shore hardnesses from one another, and the component with the lower Shore hardness is arranged in a region of the lid radially inside the component with the higher Shore hardness.
 26. The receiving container according to claim 25, wherein the component with the higher Shore hardness is designed with no circumferential interruption at least in a region of the lid which is introduceable into the body
 27. The receiving container according to claim 17, wherein the body has at least one conically tapering portion on the outer side, and the at least one conical portion has the closed end or is arranged adjacent thereto.
 28. The receiving container according to claim 17, wherein the body comprises or consists of two plastic components, and at least one component is light-blocking or opaque and is arranged at the closed end of the body, and the at least one light-blocking or opaque component has a code for identification.
 29. The receiving container according to claim 28, wherein the at least one light-blocking or opaque component contains polypropylene or consists thereof.
 30. The receiving container according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the body and the lid is produced by an injection-molding process.
 31. A method for filling a receiving container, the method comprising the steps of: providing the receiving container with a body and a lid, wherein the lid is introduced into the body in a first closing position, perforating the lid with a cannula, filling the receiving container through the cannula, wherein gas escapes from a chamber via at least one ventilation path, and arranging the lid in a second closing position such that the at least one ventilation path is closed.
 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the container comprises: a body, and a lid, wherein the body has an open end and a closed end and the lid is introduceable at least partially into the open end of the body in order to close the body, the lid comprises at least one plastic component which is adapted such that the lid can be perforated by a cannula and is fluid-tight after the cannula has been removed, the receiving container is adapted such that the lid can assume at least a first closing position and a second closing position, in the first closing position, a chamber of the body can be filled with a cannula through the lid, and gas can escape from the chamber via at least one ventilation path, and in the second closing position, the at least one ventilation path is closed.
 33. The method according to claim 31, further comprising introducing the lid further into the body in order to arrange the lid in the second closing position.
 34. A process for transporting receiving containers in a tube system with a stream of air, wherein the receiving container according to claim 17 is used for the process.
 35. Use of a receiving container according to claim 17 in a tube system with an airstream. 